A role for the human amygdala in higher cognition.

Considerable evidence suggests that the human amygdala plays an important role in higher cognitive functions in addition to its well-known role in emotional processing. In this article we review representative evidence showing the involvement of the human amygdala in long-term memory, working memory and attention. Results are discussed in terms of their relevance to current theories of amygdala function that can integrate its cognitive and emotional functions in a comprehensive framework.